Great planets! M31, M4, and lots more from a light polluted back yard, Very nice doubles. Good color in the Orion nebula.

Easy to set up.

Fits into any vehicle.

Tipod is a bit to low for a 6 footer!

Vote Highlights

Celestron SPC 102

Picked this gem up on E-Bay.I agree with the other posts_This is a spectacular 4 inch achromat!Star test was flawless_excellent resolution at 85X per inch.I put the OTA onto an Orion "3" equatorial, added quality wooden legs, and celestron vibation suppression pads.I then added a TV 1.25" Everbrite diagonal, TV 5X Powermate, and a couple of high end eyepieces.Since most of my viewing is in a light contaminated area with moderate seeing at best, I was not expecting much on first light_but was very impressed with the views!Lunar rills and craterlets at @ 350X were awesome, Cassini ring very visible_and I believe I even glimpsed the Encke!I mounted an old Bushnell "430" 60mm on Losmandy rings for a guide scope, keeping the load around 20#.I would not hesitate to reccomend_if you want a scope that is still portable, and will not break your bank! As they are now available only used , the closest thing to this is the new Vixen achromat, which retails around $800.00 US.This fine old Japanese achromat is "a keeper"_and a solid "10"!

This has to be the best four inch scope for the price. Excellent Japanese optics by Vixen, fine focuser, and very well baffled. Minor C.A. only on the brightest objects. Sharp as a Tak in side by side comparison. Why spend thousands for the same views as this great scope provides.

I have both the SPC102 model (1993) and the latest HD-102 model from Celestron. The SPc102 is definately better than the HD model especially as magnification increases.

I now reserve the HD version exclusively for Public Star Parties.

The SPc102 is a real gem at high magnification, I regularly push the magnification on the SPC102 (250X - 300X) when seeing conditions permit.

I have seen a few of these latesly going on Ebay for prices that are very reasonable. If you want an excellent 4" Refractor that won't rival any other Acro in it's class then the Spc102 is the logical choice ...

I have a Celestron SPC 102 which was purchased in 1994, primarily because it was portable enough to move around. I also purchased the dual-axis drive, a JMI electric focus, a Celestron 8x50 illuminated right-angle finder, bought some new eyepieces, and haven't looked back. Yes, there's a touch of color around bright objects, but it isn't objectionable and the double-double shows textbook diffraction rings around all four stars. With a Televue 10.5 mm Plossel and a 2.5x Televue barlow, high power views are nice and contrasty on the planets. The Double Cluster is a field of pin-point diamonds in a low power eyepiece. For a 4-inch achromat, I don't know what else one could expect for a (then) base price of less than $1000. The SP mount, even with the extended pier, is solid with no noticable vibration. The drive tracks well for extended periods if polar aligned using the built-in polar finder. Some people may complain about the locking clamps on both axes, but this isn't an AP mount. All in all the 'scope is a real keeper, especially if you don't have the intense interest to shell out many thousands for a top-of-the-line AP or Tak. This telescope is more than sufficient for the casual observer of the planets and brighter deep-sky objects.

Just recently picked up a used GP-C102 OTA used on Ebay. I always wanted one of these Vixen made achromats, and had just recently the newer Chinese version which in itself was a very good scope. But this thing is unbelievable. Yes it has false color, it is a short focal length 4" refractor, so it was expected. What wasn't expected was how the images just snap into focus-no guessing here when I reach the best focus. The images I have seen of Jupiter and Saturn have been unreal, never expected these contrasty, very sharp images from a 4" scope. I presently have it mounted on a SP mount, using the 114mm rings intended for the 4.7" skywatcher. That brings me to the size of the scope, it is big, looking like the 4.7" scope in size, much heftier then the C102HD synta version scope. The focuser is very smooth, with a beautiful chrome plated focuser tube, and an all metal objective cell. This is a real performer, I finally got one, and won't ever let this baby go. Bob Midiri

>Just recently picked up a used GP-C102 OTA used on Ebay. I always wanted one of these Vixen made achromats, and had just recently the newer Chinese version which in itself was a very good scope. But this thing is unbelievable. Yes it has false color, it is a short focal length 4" refractor, so it was expected. What wasn't expected was how the images just snap into focus-no guessing here when I reach the best focus. The images I have seen of Jupiter and Saturn have been unreal, never expected these contrasty, very sharp images from a 4" scope. I presently have it mounted on a SP mount, using the 114mm rings intended for the 4.7" skywatcher. That brings me to the size of the scope, it is big, looking like the 4.7" scope in size, much heftier then the C102HD synta version scope. The focuser is very smooth, with a beautiful chrome plated focuser tube, and an all metal objective cell. This is a real performer, I finally got one, and won't ever let this baby go. Bob Midiri
Reply: I'll put my two cents in. I got the SPC-102 in 1992 and have been happy with it. I have taken it completely apart and sprayed Krylon UltraFlat Black throughout the tube and within the focuser. This thing has several baffles including some in the focuser tube. Images are very sharp. There is some color fringing, but this can be tamed by a #8 Yellow filter. Venus, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and the moon are fine. I can see the crepe ring on Saturn, but the image is too dim for that rich Saturn look that we all love. Double Stars are resolved to the limit of aperture and seeing. Antares is a treat, as well as Sigma Cygni. At a dark site with a medium power this scope shows pinpoint stars across a black field, though it's no apo. There is little color in stars dimmer that magnitude 2 or so. I once thought of selling this, but it is a quality Japanese scope, and the new Celestron refractors don't match the craftsmanship. The mount is good, but does vibrate a little. Viewing objects at the zenith are tough. Mars shows considerable detail. If you get one of these, you should probably hang on to it....How can I justify getting the Tak 102 ?? I don't want to part with this, but I have five scopes already !!!!!!!! Charles

Celestron SPC 102

A long time a go in a galaxy not very far far away a certain company made a great Refractor then chose to discontinue it in favour of cheaper scopes.

I love it. I'm on my second one and I am never getting rid of it. It is a shame that it was not continued on but at least it is sort of remembered with the Vixen/Orion versions. But nothing beats the look of black on wood. Don't forget about the performance. Okay enough already about the "Little tiny bit of false colour". I bought this grand old lady to look through and enjoy and enjoying it I am.

An achro with attitude. This old Celestron/Vixen is perhaps the best example of a mass produced scope that beats all odds. My sample of this scope shows very little false color. Images are sharp and contrasty even when pushed above 200x. Compared to some of the current semi-APOs this old F10 will make you wonder which one is the semi. It can't compete with a real APO at higher magnification, but will solidly hold its own at low to moderate powers. When coupled to the original Vixen SP mount this is a 4in refractor that is a dream to use, especially at the price. If you find one of these...don't pass it up.

This scope is one of the best kept secrets in amateur astronomy. Every time I set up with it, other amateurs view through it and wonder if its a fluorite. When I tell them it is an achromat, they act like they don't believe me. Yes, there is a LITTLE color on bright objects at high power, but believe me, it is not objectionable. Due to high contrast, deep sky is also surprisingly good. All in all, great images from a classic design, all carried on an excellent mount. A "10" in its class.

Outstanding contrast with just a hint of false color. This achro is about as good as it gets for a non ED/APO scope in this catagory. The original Super Polaris (Vixen) mount is nothing less than fantastic for its price range. Easily adjusted and very solid for its weight. All considered a similar scope today would cost much more than the original cost of the SPC102. This is an old classic worth seeking out.

Great achromatic scope. Really sharp and contrastly. Chromatic aberration is only noticeable on the brightest stars, showing a faint ble halo. For example, Alnitak (Zeta Orionis), with magnitude 2.0 doesn't show chromatic aberration at 50x using a 20mm Baader-Planetarium eyepiece